Daniel Davies ’25 | Moorhead
Major: Business Management

Please tell us about yourself.

I am a flex-year senior at Concordia and have lived in Moorhead my whole life. I originally went to MSUM for my freshman year and transferred to Concordia after that. I’m a cellist in The Concordia Orchestra, was the vice president of the for 2024-25, a member of the team and , and was part of the Innovation Scholars program.

How did you hear about Concordia and why did you choose to attend college here?

Growing up in Moorhead, I knew about Concordia just from proximity. I had multiple track meets and Knowledge Bowl tournaments here while I was in high school, and my mom taught some classes here for a few years as well. I decided to transfer to Concordia as I became more interested in music. I knew about The Concordia Orchestra’s reputation and wanted to be a part of it. Prior to transferring, I had some conversations with (former cello professor) Dr. Greg Hamilton and he was a big reason why I made the switch.

Was there a defining moment in your college search?

Not particularly. Outside of the orchestra program, I enjoyed the aesthetic of campus, but I didn’t put as much thought into the decision as I should have.

The college intentionally sets aside time to ensure that students can be involved on campus.

If you were talking to a prospective student, what would you tell them is a reason to attend Concordia?

What makes Concordia different is the lengths it takes to create communities on campus. The number of groups I’ve been able to join has defined my college experience. I hear stories from other colleges where people must be a certain major to join activities, but at Concordia those opportunities exist for everyone. Our mock trial team is filled with different majors — English, philosophy, education, business, art — which makes the team so much better. Our orchestra doesn't require students to be music majors. And student government is filled with a wide array of students from different years and fields. The college intentionally sets aside time to ensure that students can be involved on campus. That creates the space to build networks of friends in so many areas and, as time passes, no matter where you are on campus you’ll have a friend to talk to.

How did you decide on your area of study?

I chose business management for its broad scope and real-world application. Government work is my overall goal, and the administrative skills I have gained through my time at the Offutt School of Business have been incredibly helpful.

Do you have a favorite course in your major? Why is it your favorite?

Business Law and Business Writing were two incredibly impactful courses I have taken at Concordia. Business Writing completely changed how I think about writing, document design, and audience analysis. Business Law taught me so much about different law structures, both in and outside of the business field. Both professors (Lemmer and Jung) were amazing about engaging the class and made every topic interesting and engaging.

What are the benefits of taking classes in the Offutt School of Business?

The Offutt School’s faculty and staff constantly work to find opportunities for the students. There are countless opportunities, both large and small, that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to participate in if not for my professors reaching out. My biggest example is Innovation Scholars. I wouldn’t have applied to if Dr. Marcia Scarpin hadn’t reached out and asked me to consider the opportunity. That email she sent turned into the coolest research experience I have ever had.

Have you had any internships? If so, what were your responsibilities and key takeaways?

Yes, I have had three internships during my time at Concordia — one at a law firm, one with the City of Moorhead, and one with the U.S Senate.

With the law firm, we represented injured North Dakota workers who had their claims denied by workers’ compensation. I wrote medical chronologies, summarizing their medical records, looking for evidence of work relatedness. Additionally, I reviewed and analyzed case law and developed legal arguments. Lastly, I would write demand letters dictating the impact the injury had on their lives.

With the City of Moorhead, I worked in the City Manager’s office, which allowed me to work across all departments. My responsibilities ranged from inputting public works invoices to being a member of the community center design team. I wrote multiple draft policies regarding sustainability and economic development. I attended the League of Minnesota Cities annual conference, where I was able to meet leaders from across the state. Working with the City gave me a broad perspective into community and economic development and defined what I want to do in my career.

The Senate internship was an incredible vocational experience. I take my passion for local community and economic development work to the federal level. I spent my time speaking with constituents, giving tours, writing form letters and voting briefs, and researching community development. I had multiple conversations with staffers and senators that shaped my policy development views.

What do you enjoy about the Fargo-Moorhead area?

I enjoy the and culture. I grew up learning to cook with my mom at a very young age and have wonderful memories of staying up past midnight to finish a dish while I was in elementary school. The number of local options in always makes me excited to try something new. Also, as a lifelong resident, I love seeing the new developments popping up, especially the . Seeing those project plans makes me excited for the students who will get to experience that active downtown core.

What is your favorite Concordia tradition and why?

My favorite tradition is the Homecoming breakfasts. I have worked at the breakfasts for three years, and each time it’s an amazing experience. Seeing the alumni community come together, especially at the 50th reunion, is really special. Hearing stories from their time at Concordia, whether about the ban on dancing or different citations they received, is so much fun. It really emphasizes Concordia’s ability to build a lasting community and makes me excited to come back for my 50th reunion to reconnect with everyone I’ve been so lucky to meet during my time here.

What do you value most about being a Cobber?

What I value most about being a Cobber is the ability to be involved. What has defined my college experience more than my major or classes has been the extracurricular activities. Mock trial, orchestra, Innovation Scholars, student government, and my various internships have shaped me into the person I am today. I never would have thought it was possible to be involved in so many activities across so many disciplines. But that is exactly what Concordia encourages. Without my involvement in these activities, I don’t think I’d be as successful in just one of them. Being involved has let me take what I learn in one activity and apply it to others, letting me grow broadly rather than just in one category — which I think is exactly the point of a liberal arts education.

What advice would you give to a high school student who is considering Concordia?

Take a campus tour and experience it for yourself. Try to notice the pockets of community that exist on campus, sit in on a rehearsal, or talk to a team. See what communities you might want to be a part of on campus and, regardless of where you end up attending, pursue those passions.

Learn about transferring to Concordia

^{Published June 2025}